New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-07-12
NEW PUBLICATIONS.


or sPfRIrUALTsM By JOHN DARBY. l6mo, PIP.
S22 Phladeiphs. J. B. Uppincott Company.
The author of this strange book is Philadelphia
physician who appears to have anticipated tho
Seybert Commission in convincing himself that no
useful knowledge was to be obtained from the ex-
animation Of professional mediums The first
part Of the volume relates series of apparently
supernatural marvels, the operator being medical
man. The impression first conveyed is that the
author is relating what be regarded as real spirit
manifestations, and perhaps this was his attitude
at the time. In the end, however, his friend, the
amateur medium shows that the most Won
derful and mex picahle of the alleged phenomena
ere legerdemain tricks. 1t Is pity John
Darby did not think 1t best to give the explana-
ti0ns for certainly some OF the things de-
scnbed as done by the amateur medium exceed in
marveousness the best tricks of the conurers. ana
If added to the repertoire of any OF these wouid
brIng them fortunes The style affected DIV Jonn
Darby is by no means so lucid as 1t might De. he
has much to say about occultism and Rosicrucan-
ism, but why he could not discuss these topics
without assuming the aggravating obscurity of ex-
preston which seems to be the regular fashion
among the mystics we are at loss to understand
1t is the more to be regretted because this writer
really has good deal to say which suggestive and
shrewd. His medical knowledge often furnishes
him with apt illustrations and 1t is evident that he
has studied and thought to good purpose in diff
cult zelda Though satisfied that what are called
the physical manifestations of Spirtualism are too
Enthusiastically to deserve examination or to offer
any ground for inference, he Is by no means
Nationalist. On the contrary, he holds that there
is a genuine Spritualism and that the capacity for
seeing and hearing more than the ordinary man
sees and hears can be acquired by cultivation.
Moreover he is not dogmatc to the less credible
marvels, taking the position that whatever man
believes he is. for him. an actuality The
difficulty about this is that the moment
1t is allowed the ascertanment of truth
about anything becomes impossible. John
Darby might enjoin to this objection that strictly
speaking there is no criticism of truth; that what
wecall truth is never than relative; that finite
minds can by no possibility apprehend the full
truth of anything planned by infinite intelligence
But these considerations do not affect the obvious
fact that the adoption of his proposed maxims
would make 1t impossible to reach any standard.
For if every ones senses the sole law to them;
if everything is to be considered real the moment
somebody imagnes ITS realty 1T looks as If confu-
sion worse COMPOUNDED must result.
1t il to be remarked that the author is
always clear and often trenchant when
he talks from the fulness or his
professional knowledge. and his physiological IL
Illustrations could hardly be better put or more 10
the point But when he dips into Rosicrucanism
the fatal mists envelope him. and he gropes about
sometimes in as inconsequent way as one of the
trance mediums in whom he does not believe. 1t
may indeed be a law of nature that the approach
to such abstruse subjects shall be through belt of
intellectual fog ana perhaps the use OF this
hindrance to perception is to discourage unfit can
didates for initiation. So be it; but when one Of
<hai init iafaa nfera no n mi
leuges general attention and criticism 1t is open to
question whether he has right to employ this
nebuous screen for the discussing of his ideas
John Darby, after all, does not teach
very obscure doctrine though 1t has made
few converts III many centuries The founder
of Christianity taught the same truth when
he said 1.-THE kingdom of heaven within YOU"
Some call this primitive Christianity. Others,
who have more regard for pagan learning and
medieval mysticism, are pleased to refer the
teaching to the sages of Greece or India or to the
Alchemists and RosIcrucIans. 1t is indeed doc
trine as old as the Vedas and as new as modern
Theosophy. Perhaps it cannot be too often or too
strongly enforced. seeing how reluctant the
world has always been to accept it. Certainly this
writer infuses 1t with quaintness. originality and
ample science. if with mannerisms which are occa-
sionally vexations. His book Is well worth read
ing and those who are sensitive to the lines of
thought upon which it proceeds will find in it
9bu ndant suggestions.
MODERN HINDOOIsM Being Account Of the Relig-
ion and Life VI the Hindo0s In Northern India BY
W. J. WILKINS, 8vo, PIP. xi-49L Scribner, We'll
ford & Co.
The writer of this work, a missionary, has
gathered mass of information concerning the
complicated Hlndoo ritual, which is so inter-
twincd with daily life in every phase that to de-
scribe is to describe both. He has divided his
book into dissertations early life, Hindoo sects
caste. worship. woman. morals, death and future
In each case the account gwen is full |
end numerous citations from Hindoo authorities |
are used in confirmation. The chapters relating to
the morals of the Hindoos would be satisfac- |
tory If the too common practice of charging upon
every where had not been followed The vices here
ascribed to the Hlndoos, and which. put, look
very black for the most part to be found all
nations
The chapter on the status of Hindoo women is
especially interesting and the statements regard
ing the practice OF Sat or as it has beep spelled.
Suffice, only show once more how completely Gus
tom blinds men TO the most revolving nhumanities
Sati fingered somewhat longer than the moro fla
grant Western barbarties, but between it and the
practice which once obtained in the British Isles of
fastening women under conviction of wItchcraft,
on the shore at low tide and leaving them there to
drown, there is little moral distinction. In his
account of the HindoO doctrines of the other world
kins gives closer and more faithful presentation
-